§ 58. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what the existing arrangements are for keeping His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions informed with reference to important information on foreign affairs; what officers have been appointed for this specific purpose either by His Majesty's Government or the Dominions Governments; and whether any recent alterations have taken place in the methods of Empire co-ordination in respect of foreign policy?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. Lunn)The policy at present followed was laid down at the time of the Imperial Conference, 1926, and I cannot do better than refer my hon. Friend to the report of the Inter-Imperial Relations Committee of that Conference. As my hon. Friend will be aware, Dominion representatives have now been appointed at several foreign capitals. So far as His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are concerned, communications as to foreign affairs are made to the Dominions through the usual official channels, and, in addition, His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia have appointed a liaison officer in London who is in close touch with the Foreign Office. In the Dominions themselves the services of the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in Canada and of our representative in the. Union of South Africa are also available for the purpose of facilitating consultation and discussion.
§ Mr. DAYIs the home Government consulted before commercial treaties are made between the Dominions and foreign Powers?
§ Mr. LUNNI would not like to give a definite answer to that question, but I should say that consultations do take place before anything is finally arranged.